Nature Walk: Ice Bubbles

Ice crystals, often called hoarfrost, form on the surface of pond ice when air temperatures are well below freezing and there is a high dew point. It is easy to see the tiny six-sided crystals against the dark ice in this image, though it is less clear how or why the circular bubble-like patterns formed. They appeared to be a conglomerate of ice crystals. It was an unusual, but common occurrence on the pond that cold morning. Every day there are mysteries to see in the natural world if we are out exploring!

A few weeks ago we featured a photo of lichens and ice during our Nature Walk. Now we bring you the majestic ice crystals, commonly known as hoarfrost. Have you ever spotted these intricate ice bubbles on a nature walk of your own?

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